Jaisalmer is known as a golden city of Rajasthan because the fort and the houses are constructed of yellow sandstone which reflects golden at the time of dusk and dawn. The trip to Jaisalmer is usually short for about 3 to 4 days including the desert safari. The summer season prohibits visiting any place in the city and the monsoon season makes the dunes muddy therefore the best season to visit Jaisalmer is from mid-October to mid-March. 

How to reach Jaisalmer and Hotels ( Click Here to book flights )

The golden city of Rajasthan can be reached by bus, train, or flight where the fare of flight keeps on varying and it takes an average time of about 1 to 1.5 hours from Delhi or Jaipur to reach here.

If you are looking for an affordable trip then you can travel by train which is directly available from Delhi with an 18 hours-long journey costing around Rs 1200 in third class AC and Rs 400 rupees in general.

If you have purchased a package tour the agency will pick you up from the railway station or the airport and drop you at your hotel otherwise you can look for a public convenience just outside the railway station or airport.

There are many well-acquainted hotels available near the railway station costing from Rs 700 to Rs 1500 per day. (Book Your Bus )

Exploring the famous Quilas of Jaisalmer? (Day 1 Guide)

After refreshing yourself and having breakfast in the hotel you can start your trip with Kothari’s Patwa ki Haveli by cab. If you are looking for an affordable trip you can use a public convenience as Jaisalmer is not very large in area and transports are easily available which costs 20 to 50 rupees per person from one destination to another or you can even hire a two-wheeler for the whole day starting from 400 rupees per day. Since Jaisalmer is not spread over a large area, therefore, using public convenience is recommended rather than hiring a full-day cab which makes it quite expensive.

Kothari’s Patwa Haveli: Kothari’s Patwa ki Haveli is a multi-story structure built by Guman Chand Patwa, a rich banker in the 19th century as a residence for his five sons.

The entry ticket for Indians is 50 rupees per person and for foreigners is 200 rupees per person.

The marvelous building is constructed of yellow sandstone, elephant teeth, and carvings where you can have a view of the whole of Jaisalmer from the top floor of this haveli. Kothari’s Patwa ki Haveli also known as Patwa ki Haveli has a museum with an entry ticket of 100 rupees per person which consists of paintings, art, and crafts of that era.

Salam Singh ki Haveli: After spending an hour or so you can have a 5-minute walk to the Salam Singh ki Haveli also known as Moti Maha located at a distance of half a kilometer. 

It was constructed by Salam Singh who was the prime minister of the kingdom as his residence and is now owned by his descendants. Inspired by the dancing peacock, this massive piece of architecture has 38 balconies. The entry fees to the haveli are 10 rupees for Indians and 15 rupees for foreigners. From Salam Singh ki Haveli you can take an auto or walk about half a kilometer to the heart of Jaisalmer where Nathmal ki Haveli is situated. Best Earphone for music

Nathmal Ki Haveli: This historical monument was built in the 19th century by two architects brothers Hathi and Lulu. Nathmal ki Haveli is famous for its miniature paintings and exterior carvings. Entry to the Haveli is free of cost and it takes about 2 to 3 hours to visit this whole monument. From there you can take an auto to Tanot Mata Mandir established in the city of Tanot, Rajasthan at a distance of 1.6 kilometers away taking up to 10 minutes only to reach. 

Tanot Mata Mandir: The Tanot Mata Mandir was constructed in 847 AD and is located near the India-Pakistan border and has a glorious history of its own. This temple is controlled and maintained by the Border Security Force. There is also a small museum located nearby which is set up by the BSF. While returning from the temple you can spend your evening shopping at the local market known as Manak Chowk located at a distance of 1.7 km away where autos are easily available. One can also enjoy dinner in the various food outlets present in the market or your hotel.

Exploring the famous forts and the great Indian Desert (Day 2 Guide)

After having an early breakfast in your hotel, you can carry your essentials and check out the hotel. The hotels accommodate the locker facilities where you can submit your luggage and leave for the famous Jaisalmer fort.

The Jaisalmer Fort: The Jaisalmer fort is also known as the “Sonar Quila” as it is constructed of yellow and golden sandstone built in the 12th century by Rawal Jaisal. The entry ticket costs 100 rupees per person.

The fort itself is like a township as it has hotels, cafes, and shops it is even the residence of local people. Since it is one of the very few living forts in the world therefore it is included in the World Heritage site and is a peak tourist place in Jaisalmer. The main part of the fort consists of a separate building for the king’s palace comprising bedrooms, an audience room and a courtyard, the queen’s palace consists of a folk dance gallery, a courtyard, bedrooms, and separate dressing rooms, both Hindu and Jain temples are present here. The spectacular architecture of the fort makes it special. If you are a person who holds a keen interest in historical monuments you can hire a guide who will narrate the story of the whole fort. One of the famous buildings inside the fort is the Tazia Tower built on top of the Badal place. This grand 5 story structure with various balconies represents the ‘tazia’ carried by Muslims during the Islamic festival built by the Muslim architects of that era. The monument is praised for its design and strength.

The total time needed to visit this fort is about 4 to 5 hours before heading to the next destination. It is recommended to have your lunch in the restaurants inside the fort or you can also enjoy street food on the outskirts of the fort.

The Great Indian Desert: Now starts the most exciting part of the trip for which Jaisalmer is famous for the Great Indian Desert popularly known as the Thar desert where you can camp in the desert from noon to overnight. It is recommended to book a cab to the Desert Camping located at a distance of 14 kilometers which takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes to reach.

On reaching the desert at mid-noon you can enjoy the thrilling Jeep Safari which costs 1500 rupees. Although there are several camps situated that can be booked upon your arrival at the destination but it is recommended to book a camp for yourself prior via online which will save you time.

The camping is luxurious starting from 3000 to 3500 rupees per night including the camp, dinner, camel ride, and breakfast. The camps provided have an appealing separate room along with a washroom. Camping is also available on the road but it is advised to have a camp in the desert where you can enjoy yourself just next to the dunes. After having a short nap and getting refreshed the dawn can be spent watching the sunset which makes the desert glow golden in color. The evening is engaged by a warm welcome and hospitality followed by witnessing the cultural and folk performances along with some stunts by the local artist and a bonfire. To get yourself absorbed in the beautiful desert night you can also flick your feet along with the local artists.

The delightful evening is then led by dinner. If you wish to sleep under a sky covered with a blanket of stars you can enjoy yourself there with proper facilities or can return to your camp at your convenience. 

Other Places to Explore in Jaisalmer (Day 3 Guide)

The following morning starts by getting up early to watch a breathtaking sunrise and a camel ride on the dunes. After having your delicious breakfast on the desert safari it’s time to pick up your stuff and head to the War Museum of Jaisalmer located at a distance of about 13 minutes from the desert safari. To reach this destination you can book a cab or hire a scooty as you have to visit multiple places on this day.

Jaisalmer War Museum: The War Museum of Jaisalmer is located in Thaiyat, Rajasthan, and is dedicated as a patriotic symbol to the soldiers. To visit the War Museum you need to buy 2 tickets costing rupees 30 per person as an entry ticket and rupees 25 per person where you can watch a documentary film of 12 minutes. The museum is constructed based on the India-Pakistan war of 1971, it has tanks used by both the Indian and Pakistani armies. From the war museum, you can return to the city of Jaisalmer and can visit the Vyas Chhatri.

Vyas Chhatri: Located at a distance of about 14 kilometers away it takes around 25 minutes to reach the destination by cab. The Vyas Chhatri was a place of cremation for the holy saints in earlier times. It takes around an hour to visit the whole place. The next place to visit is the Bada bagh a distance of about 13 kilometers away which takes around 20 minutes to reach. 

Before heading to the destination one can fill their stomach by having lunch. The Bada Bagh consists of the tomb of the famous royal kings. This destination has a very minimal crowd with the best view for photographs. After spending more than an hour here you can move to the aesthetic Gadisar Lake located at a distance of about 10 kilometers away which takes about half an hour to reach. 

Gadisar Lake witnesses one of the best sunsets with a pleasant boating experience on the lake. A 2 seater paddle boat costs around 200 rupees. Along the banks of the Gadisar Lake is a cafe where you can grab your evening snacks and enjoy the view. A few steps away from the lake is a local market where various home decor items, Rajasthani work, and other stuff are available.

If you are looking for affordable evening snacks you can find them in this market. On returning to the hotel from where you can collect back your luggage, don’t forget to have a rooftop dinner under the sky full of stars with a view of a well-lit city which is soothing to the eyes. From the hotel, there is the easy availability of autos and cabs to the railway station or airport. 

Foods in Jaisalmer

There are many eatery outlets available just outside the haveli where you can have your lunch or you can enjoy your meal at rooftop restaurants with a beautiful view of the city. If you are looking for something affordable then you can have a Rajasthani thali at any local place which costs from 100 to 200 rupees.

The dinner served at the Great Indian Desert is amazing with various dishes provided. If you want a private dinner you can ask the owner of your camp to drop you in the middle of the desert where you can enjoy your dinner with a bonfire along with the local food of Rajasthan like dal-batti-churma and gathiya ki sabzi.

Total Budget and Conclusion

Apart from carrying your Aadhar Card, ID, and payment cards the essential stuff recommended to carry while you visit Jaisalmer are sunglasses as it is usually sunny, a cap because the winds blowing carry a lot of sand with them making your hair full of dust and dirt, and sunscreen to avoid getting sunburned.

If you are sharing your visit to the Golden City of Rajasthan with someone for about 3 days and 2 nights the trip becomes more budget-friendly costing under 5000 rupees per person including accommodation, transportation, and other amenities like entry tickets to different destinations.

The external expenses like your daily meals and the stuff you shop from Jaisalmer vary according to your choice. Hope your journey to Jaisalmer comprises the best lifelong memories.